Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 8 October 2009, the reports he has received in regard to violence against refugee women in eastern Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42174/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the Irish Times article relating to a report by Amnesty International on violence against refugee women in eastern Chad; I have not received nor am I aware of any other reports in this matter. I understand that Amnesty International Ireland has contacted my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in regard to the above-mentioned report. The Government shares the concern of Amnesty International Ireland at the content of the report and will continue to make Ireland's voice heard in relation to Chad and peacekeeping there. Ireland will do its utmost to contribute to protecting the vulnerable and building a lasting peace.

The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), which comprises civil, police and military components is authorised, inter alia, to take all necessary measures, within its capabilities and its area of operations in eastern Chad, in liaison with the Government of Chad, to contribute to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons.

Ireland has made substantial efforts and contributed strongly to the efforts to improve the security and protection of the people in the region and to defend their human rights. To this end we have maintained over 400 Irish troops on the ground in Chad with MINURCAT and previously with the former EU-led mission in Chad. However, at end-September 2009, just over 50% of the total planned military force of 5,200 had been deployed. It is important that this position improve radically over the next months. While the military force can provide for broader security within the area of operations, the role of the UN trained and supported policing - Détachement Intégré de Scurité or DIS - operating within the camps is essential to ensure the personal security of refugees and IDPs. As at 30 September, 806 DIS personnel were deployed, supported by 248 United Nations Police Officers.

MINURCAT has recently launched a campaign to combat gender-based violence in Chad. We will continue to monitor the situation and to do our utmost to contribute to protecting the vulnerable and to building a lasting peace in this troubled part of the world.